National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1887-06-10

popular terms OF sociological principles
hitherto considered only by specialists or
philosophical Investigators, pointed out in
his chapters on England, that the superb
GRITTY OF the British race was mainly due to
the influence Of climate. II so acuts n
reasoner could have been with me one
morning recently as l stepped from the
Jersey ferry boat into a New York street
car, the fxet question should have asked
would have been, "Mr. Buckle, why do
people In New York speak so Internally
loudr He would doubtless have soon
called my attention to the cobble stones
and elevated railroad, to the furious
driving, the eager impetuosity OF men and
women, and the enormous traffic along the
great thoroughfares. Having learned so
much from-the philosopher, 1 should have
reverted with pleasure to the tranquility Of
life In Washington, a civilized city, "where
all things always are the same" and
"where II is always afternoon" where the
frisky team attached to Pennsylvania ave
nue. street car, or the solitary quadruped
that acts as motor for an Z or Fourteenth
street vehicle, stops by instinct when the
voice or step OF any distinguished congress
man is heard from the sidewalk. | regret
to record the fact, but II is as true as IL is
remarkable, that the horse OF New York
street car cares as little about United
States senator as his driver cares for the
population theory Of Nautilus or tho un-
earned increment Of Mr.. Mill.
When got into the car and paid my fare
asked the conductor, In my usual dulcet
tones Of Washington, II he could tell me
the way TO French's Hotel, situated some
where among the newspaper Offices in Park
Row. He looked at me as II ] were an
idiot or a foreigner unacquainted with the
English language. He made an ear-trum-
pet OF his hand and asked me II were on
the point Of making some remark, and
finally he urged me to "talk up, for the
Lords sake" l stood up, took long
breath, put my mouth near the improvised
telephone, and in voice which spoke well
for my lungs asked my simple question,
The conductor evidently heard me this
time, but gave no information, and passed
on for other nickels as much as to say: "a
man who don't known where to find hotel
in New York amt no good talkin' to, any
how" As an addition to my discontinue
an old gentleman who sat opposite, aud
saw quickly that was provincial or bu-
llghtened citizen Of New York-came and
sat beside me, shouting in my ear with
deafening vehemence: nYou are stranger
in New York. Don't ask anybody any
questions except policeman If you do,
you'll be led astray every time"
His loud str,cs voice. tn. kindly ifsDton meant Mt
all the passengers, and 1 felt a maideniy
blush steal away down from my head to my
heels. Fearing that the old man might
again reproach me with my innocence, |
jumped from the car, valise In hand, and
wandered aimlessly for some time, afraid to
put another question to people who were at
once so deaf and so loud spoken. When |
reached my destination at French's Hotel
found matters somewhat different. There
was no noise or loud talking In this estab
lisbment, which, under new and energetic
management, has Just been reconstructed,
and now has at the head Of its excellent
European restaurant the same chef who
directed the cuisine Of Mr.. Cleveland during
his residence at Albany.
During months experience of New
York l have come to understand partly
why the people here speak in such loud
and shrill tones, and why Washlngton-for
quiet and reasonable persons-is Infinitely
preferable as place of permanent residence
Being a lazy creature myself believe in
what Wadsworth calls "The harvest OF
quiet eye," and most heartily detest the
quick, nervous glance Of "almighty smart"
people, who know everybody's business as
well as their own. But, as Portia said
"God made them, so let them pass for
men,
BLUE LAW REPEALERs.
The enormous mass meeting at Cooper
Union to protest against the blue (liquor)
laws resurrected by Mayor Hewitt was In.
teresting for more reasons than the osteusi-
BILE object for which 1t was called together.
At most OF the hall entrances were sta
toned greasy and unkempt foreigners try
ing to to sell socialist, nihilist, or anarchist
papers. Such men made considerable noise,
which was quite harmless, but when we
entered the hall not a badge. banner, sym
hpl ip1 taI hot N u at
assembly had the least sympathy with
socialism or theoretical dynamite. The
meeting was richly sprinkled with saloon
keepers, bartenders, brewers, and proprletors
of the smaller hotels. The remainderof the
crowd, composed mainly Of mechanics and
laborers, shouted loudly over sentiments
about American freedom, and seemed to
form a most magnanimous aggregate Of
individuals when we consider that from
motives not only purely disinterested, but
absolutely hostile to their own interests,
they insisted on having the right to main
tain the proverbial splendor of saloons and
their keepers, Of liquor stores, breweries,
and policemen to keep them in order,
and.greatest privilege OF allHtc
national revenue which enables the United
States government to carry a surplus of
over 500, 100000 in tho treasury. Saloon
men and their comrades seemed to me much
pleased with the enthusiasm Of the sons of
Toll, and evidently regarded themselves as
the modest heroes Of great historic event.
1t was an immense and enthusiastic meet
ing, but was as orderly as a conference OF
Methodist preachers, and had just about as
little sympathy as such conference with
socialism or anarchy, notwithstanding the
few noisy foreigners, with dirty clothes,
beery faces, and unbrushed hair who were
endeavoring to sell dynamiting drivel at
fba dnnre I NAV add that aynpnt amnnn
the graduates Of a military or naval acad-
envy, never saw more high-headed, high
collared, selfsatisfied, or flt-for-martyrdom
set OF fellows than the crowds OF bartenders
who were so much interested In the devel-
opments Of Hewitt's azure legislation.
ANTI-PovERTY SOCIETY.
About week after the liquor laws repeal
meeting another enormous mass meeting
was held at the Academy of Music under
the auspices Of DR.. McGlynn, Henry George,
and the Anti-Poverty Association. The
meeting was advertised for o'clock, and
arrived at sos to find that the house was
already packed; that between 1000 aud
200 people were standing at the doors I'M
able to get In, and that reporters of the
metropolitan papers, by sending kilograms
TO Henry George from the station across the
street, were enabled to gain admission.
Personally have much sympathy with the
general movement Of which Mr. George and
DR.. McGlynn are leaders, but casual talks
with many of the people who had come TO
hear these gentlemen convinced me that at
present the whole agitation is only one of
idle curiosity. An Intelligent woman, who
could not gain admission, voiced the public
sentiment when she said, "rm very glad
can't get In, Because Its only curiosity after
all, and now j can say with clear con-
science that l didn't hear DIR. McGlynn
make any speech" evidently indicating
the terrors of the confessional, When one
thinks OF the men and women at that meet
Ing, with fathers. mothers, brothers. sisters,
and children who might at any OF the great
crises OF lie be denied the comforting sac
ramept OF Catholicism as n d lnishment for